North Salem News: Life is a Cabaret
North Salem News: Life is a Cabaret
By TOM WALOGORSKY
May 23, 2021 at 8:53 AM
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NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - “Being a singer has always been my driving force,” explains Dawn Derow.
Dawn Derow might be relatively new in town, but her performing career has spanned nearly her entire life. Now that she has brought her talents to North Salem, Dawn is preparing for an outdoor concert and release party for her newest album: MY SHIP: Songs from 1941.
Her story begins with her childhood in Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.
“I did theater from a very young age, and started singing when I was 8-years-old,” she explains.
In addition to enjoying the rich culture of the Cape Cod theater scene, Dawn also embraced a part of her heritage by following in the footsteps of her grandparents.
“I had a grandfather who was a community theater actor,” says Dawn. “And my grandmother was a Roxyette in the late 1930s.”
The Roxyettes were a popular dance troupe of the era which would eventually become the modern day Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. After her grandmother’s passing, the family would keep many of her dresses and costumes, which Dawn has also been able to wear.
“Genetically, I feel like I get a lot of myself from her,” adds Dawn. “Throughout my life that has been a kind of underlying energy.”
Dawn would often perform in community theater growing up, and at age 14, had the opportunity to expand her musical repertoire into opera.
“One day I saw this poster for an opera workshop, and I thought I would be able to hit high notes in another language and act at the same time,” she explains.
Dawn would begin an intensive study to hone her classical voice, eventually being accepted to the Boston Conservatory. While there, she would also take acting and dancing classes in addition to her voice work. In 1999, she would graduate at the top of her class, also attaining the highest vocal score.
After graduation, Dawn’s vocal talents would see her performing all over the world. She would work as a guest entertainer for Radisson Seven Seas and Norwegian Cruise Lines, and perform in Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, and numerous other countries.
Pursuing her passion for performing, Dawn moved to New York City with only a suitcase and a dream.
“I only had my audition materials and I slept on my cousin’s couch,” she recalls. “I booked these really interesting gigs because I felt like touring wasn’t my thing. Some of them were pretty obscure, but my resume was stacked.”
After a while, Dawn grew tired of the audition process and decided to take her career in another direction.
“I was jaded, and I got a little burnt out with the whole audition thing, so I went into Cabaret and decided I would build my own show,” she says.
In 2008, she would perform her first show at The Duplex in Manhattan. In the twelve years since, she has performed at the Weill Center at Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, The Laurie Beechman Theater, and The Friars Club, among countless other venues.
With her performances followed a series of accolades including a nomination for Best CD in 2014 by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) for her album Music 4 TWO.
She would win her first MAC award the following year for her work with Kathleen France in the duo show REVOLUTION.
She would also win a Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist for her solo show LEGIT: A Classical Cabaret. In 2018, she would once again be honored with a MAC award for her show: MY SHIP: Songs from 1941.
Dawn will be releasing an album of songs from the award-winning show, with an outdoor concert and party to commemorate the event on June 19.
The show incorporates a number of hits from an eventful year in American history, including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” and “The White Cliffs of Dover.” Dawn also feels especially proud to pay tribute to a pivotal time in our nation’s history, notably the importance of the rise of women in the workplace.
“This was the time of Rosie the Riveter, and we’re paying homage to women’s empowerment,” she explains. “It has a lot of layers to it, and I’m going to ask the audience to take a step back with me.”
She will be performing songs alongside her talented “crew” of Ian Herman, Tom Hubbard, Daniel Glass, and producer Paul Rolnick. Dawn hopes that the community will come out for a fun-filled evening, especially as warmer weather allows for an outdoor performance.
“I’ve done some virtual performances, but I don’t love singing to my computer screen,” she says. “I think people are really going to love the show, I really make it my own.”
The intimate backyard performance will provide lawn chairs and snacks, and picnics and blankets are encouraged. There are several ticket options, including general admission, a live stream, and VIP tickets that include a swag bag, a copy of Dawn’s album, and admission to a special reception following the show.
Dawn Derow moved to North Salem at the start of the pandemic last year, but has found that the town is an ideal location for her musical endeavors.
“I love it here, it’s a great place to create,” she says.
For ticket purchase and more information, visit www.dawnderow.com